Eminent Yetunde’s involvement in the activities of Nigerians in Diaspora and at home plus her undying passion for transparency, economic development, causes and means to eradicate corruption in both local and state government, especially as they affect Nigeria placed her in the front burner of discuss among Nigerian youths and elites.

Yetunde A. Odugbesan has the power to unite and inspire people by her words. For her, the passion for change, leadership and politics began at a young age. She is a Nigerian-American and an outstanding example of what it means to be a Young Leader for Change.

She is currently a graduate student at Division of Global Affairs Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she is obtaining her graduate degree in International Affairs. She received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies and a double minor in Organizational Leadership and Africana Studies from Rutgers University in May 2009. Yetunde’s research focuses on corruption and its effects on governmental trust and performance in both local and state government. Her research interests include government transparency, public trust, ethical leadership, human rights, economic development, public policy and social entrepreneurship.

Yetunde Odugbesan is the Assistant Editor for Public Performance and Management Review (PPMR), a leading peer-review academic journal that addresses a broad array of influential factors on the performance of public and non-profit organizations. She is also a distinguished Eagleton Institute of Politics Fellow and member of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy. She is currently the President of Rutgers University Student Association of Global Affairs and Vice-President of Rutgers Graduate Student Government Association. Yetunde was also recently selected to attend Clinton Global Initiative Meeting for Young Leaders in Miami, Florida where she personally met President Bill Clinton. She is also involved in the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meetings. She is the recipient of numerous academic, leadership and public service awards. During her undergraduate years, she was the President of Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences Chi Alpha Epsilon National Academic Honor Society, a Ronald E. McNair and Minority Academic Career Fellow and Scholar, Rutgers Emerging Leader Scholar, and interned at league of distinguished places including the Office of Mayor Bloomberg Commission to the United Nations, Global Partners Project.

Yetunde’s passion for change, leadership and politics started at a young age. As the past President of Student Government and Student Ambassador of her high school, she developed and honed the skills of becoming a leader, activist and public servant. She was featured in Who’s Who Amongst High School Students in 2005. Her extensive experience includes organizational leadership, campaigning, community relations, community organizing, research analysis, public speaking, social and human rights advocacy.

Yetunde has extensive training in communication strategies and public speaking. She has mastered seven categories of public speaking under the guidance of New Jersey Orators. She is truly a gifted and talented young women. With her vast experiences she decided to use her gifts and talents to help others actualize their dreams. In 2007, Yetunde created, “Putting Your Best Self Forward,” a website dedicated to empowering and encouraging young women and men to be great leaders.

Yetunde is a motivational speaker where she uses her website, “Putting Your Best Self Forward,” to empower, encourage and inspire young people to be a catalyst of change. Yetunde is the co-author of a recently published book titled, “A Call to Serve: Quotes on Public Service,” which aims to foster a spirit of service and civic engagement and to encourage more people to public service. Yetunde’s endless accomplishments are a testament of her perseverance and determination. Yetunde Odugbesan believes that it is her responsibility to encourage, inspire and motivate others to be the best that they can be. Her mission is to pay it forward.